"Christology" e-Course Provides Insights into the Nature and Essence of Jesus Christ

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul 13, 2010 -
Santa Barbara, CA - An illuminating new course on "Christology" is now being offered at KSURF's Knowledge Web. The six-week online course was developed by Brian Neese, who holds degrees in Philosophy and Theology. The course will lead online learners on a thought-provoking journey through time to explore the meaning of the life, person, being, and nature of the single most important person that forever changed the world - Jesus Christ. Enrollment is now open and sign-ups will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

"Christology" is the study of the person of Jesus Christ, with a special focus on His nature and essence. The Bible gives us a comprehensive account of Jesus, his life, teachings, and sacrifice. Christology looks at the implications of those events and seeks to understand not just what Jesus did but who He was and is. It examines the nature of Jesus Christ and the meaning of His life, person, and nature. By experiencing the incarnate God in Christ, mankind and the Church gain a better understanding of creation, salvation, God, man's role on earth, and other topics of great concern to people in today's uncertain world.

Mr. Neese's online course consists of six inspiring, fact-filled units which cover the following topics:

Unit 1: Foundation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures - Examines the New Testament's account of Christ and what it has to say regarding Him. This first lesson will look at the foundation of Jesus Christ in the Bible, which serves as the background of what is known as Christology.

Unit 2: The Incarnate God, St. Athanasius, the Council of Nicaea - Explores early attempts to analyze the incarnate God. This lesson looks at the beginnings of theological discussions on Christology and the incarnate God. The Christology from St. Athanasius and from the Council of Nicaea helped shaped the preliminary distinctions within the topic of Christology, which will pave the way into the major Chalcedonian definition of the next lesson.

Unit 3: The Chalcedonian Definition - The standard view of Christ — that He is two unmixed natures in one — will be examined. We'll take a look at the monumental Chalcedonian definition, which helped establish the answers to questions raised in the two previous lessons. The implications of the Chalcedonian definition will also be discussed.

Unit 4: St. Anselm and St. Aquinas - These two theologians' answers to why salvation came in the form of an incarnate God will be analyzed. This unit explores the Christologies presented by St. Anselm and St. Aquinas. Their views will be analyzed as they relate to views on atonement, penal substitution, and even aesthetics under the larger subject of Christology.

Unit 5: Barth and Balthasar, The 20th Century - This lesson explores the Christologies presented by two renowned 20th century theologians, Karl Barth and Hans Urs von Balthasar.

Unit 6: 20th Century: Christ, Kenosis, and Suffering - From violence to genocide in the shadows of World War II, theology examines kenosis and suffering in relationship to Christ. This lesson looks at the topic of kenosis as it relates to Christ and Christology. Additionally, issues will be examined that have been considered by theologians in response to the "emptiness" or dereliction of Christ on the cross.

Brian Neese obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from American Public University. He will receive his Master of Theology in Systematic and Philosophical Theology from the University of Wales, Lampeter, later this month. He says that philosophy and theology, particularly Christian philosophy, is the driving interest in his life, and in particular, the topics of Christian love and Kierkegaard.

Currently living in Rockford, Illinois, Brian is also a freelance writer. He developed his online course on Christology as a way to connect his academic background to his writing interests. The course is an expression of his Christian faith. Beyond writing and academic endeavors, he enjoys reading, music, sports, writing for pleasure, and spending time with his fiance and their families.

For more information about the Christology course or to enroll, visit the course home page at http://vu.ksurf.net/catalog/7855.html

For information about more than 100 other high-quality but affordable online courses on a wide variety of subjects including web design, creative writing, health and wellness, psychology, self-help/inspirational courses, and academic subjects, visit KSURF's current calendar of classes on the Web at http://vu.ksurf.net/calendar.html